sex with money What not to say to a newly single friend on Valentine's Day Trust us; she doesn't want to hear you gush about your wonderful guy, especially when she's fresh off a breakup. No matter how happy you are in your relationship , keep it to yourself while she's upset–especiallyon Valentine's Day. This is the time to make things about her and help her move on, not make her feel worse by giving her every detail about how he's planning to cook you dinner, the flowers he left for you or the surprise trip he's taking you on. This is great , but not something that she needs to hear on the 14th of all days. Insisting she move on might seem like pragmatic advice, but it will come out as hurtful on Valentine's Day. As much as you might be tempted to tell her to suck it up and start fresh, she will need time to mend. Be patient and just be there for her . If it starts to seem like she's really stuck and can't or won't move on, then you can give her a nudge. She definitely needs to get over it at some point, but that's not something you can force. Allow her to wallow about how she no longer has a Valentine. Just like telling her how great your husband or boyfriend is won't win you any points, giving her the details of your latest conquest or crush at work is also going to make her feel terrible since love is now the last thing she wants to think about. If you're really bursting to tell someone, tell any one of your other friends and bite your tongue when you're with her. Feb. 14 is not the day to gossip to your newly single gal pal about who you're planning to bring home later that night. Even if you did hate her ex, right after the breakup is never a good time to voice this opinion, especially when she's wishing he could still be with her Valentine. You want to be in a position to help her get over it or at least distract her from what she's feeling, not get in trouble for openly hating on someone she still cares about. How to deal with a mean girl 3 Little ways to show your man you care on Valentine's Day When was the last time you thanked the person you love for something they do for you? We're not talking about clearing the table after dinner or remembering to pick up milk on the way home from work. We're referring to the things that make your man such a great catch. Does he always know exactly what to say to cheer you up? Is he a great listener? Does he inspire you to set and accomplish your goals? Thank him for all of the things you truly appreciate about him this Valentine's Day. A few words of kindness can go a long way to making someone feel loved. This Valentine's Day, make him feel extra special by giving him some thoughtful compliments. To really make this one count, dig deeper than just telling him how sexy he looks in the T-shirt you got him for Christmas or how much you like his smile. Comment on aspects of your guy that you would only notice by knowing him as well as you do. Things like how great he is at coming up with fun date ideas, how charming he can be even with people he's only just met or how witty his toasts are at dinner parties. Trust us; he'll feel great knowing that you made a point to say something nice about his best qualities. One of the best ways to show your love this Feb. 14 is to do some flirting. It's something we do at the beginning of a relationship, but that seems to fall to the wayside after a few years . This Valentine's Day, make a point to get a little flirty with your man. Laugh at his jokes, make suggestive comments, lean in close as he's telling you about his day– anything that makes him feel wanted. Flirting is fun, so turn on your charm. He'll love the extra attention and he'll feel extra-special on the most romantic day of the year. How to get your relationship back on track 5 Frugal but fabulous Valentine's Day treats for your guy If you're still stumped on finding that perfect Valentine's Day gift for your guy, we have some great ideas that are not only special, but affordable, too. We turned to Vicky Oliver, author ofThe Millionaire's Handbook: How to Look and Act Like a Millionaire Even if You're Not, for her tips on how to give your guy something great– without breaking the bank. Some guys look great in emerald green; some can't get enough of the color blue. Get inspired by his favorite shade this Feb. 14."When you know your lover's favorite color and then buy a present in the precise shade, it shows an extra degree of thought,"Oliver says. These gifts don't need to be expensive. Scarves, hats and gloves in every color of the rainbow can be purchased for under $10 at stores like Target or even your local street vendor. If you want to be more indulgent, she suggests picking up a mobile device protector in a stunning color or aGelaSkinprotector for any of his electronic devices. What's more romantic than a personalized declaration of love?"For about $100 less than a bottle of cologne, you can give your guy something permanent, creative and emotionally stirring,"Oliver says. She suggests checking out the online companyTimeless Message, which will help you select a limited edition antique bottle and even craft a message for you if need be. You can also write your own sentiment or consider borrowing something apt from Robert Burns or your favorite romantic poet of choice. For no cost but lots of love, invent a signature sip for your man. Oliver suggests using his background, home state or even hair color as inspiration."Is he of Russian descent? Perhaps the drink should contain Russian vodka in his honor. Does he hail from Florida? Maybe the drink should be made with fresh-squeezed oranges instead. Are you dating a redhead? Consider having ginger be one of the prominent drink flavors,"she says. Print up the drink recipe on cardstock so that your loved one can order his special drink with ease at restaurants and bars. Then call the elixir by your honey's name. If you want to be more creative than that, be sure to research drink names in advance so you don't choose something already taken. We love Oliver's idea of getting a star named after your guy."It's a symbolic gesture that has little to do with science but much to do with love and affection, and it can add a real bright spot to your relationship,"she says. The best part is, you can call a star after a boyfriend for under $15."Every time that special person in your life stares up at the heavens, he or she will be sure to think of you fondly."Go stargazing for less atStarnamer. No time to shop? No problem. Give your guy a romantic I.O.U."These ingenious notes can save you a small fortune or even a large one. Instead of running around like a chicken with her head cut off to find the perfect present for your paramour, take half an afternoon to design a pretty I.O.U. certificate on your computer,"Oliver says. It can be for anything -- from"one free home-cooked meal"to"one night of pampering."Then fill in his name, print out the document, wrap it with a ribbon and you're done. Low-cost Valentine's Day gift ideas for your guy 3 Unconventional ways to spend Valentine's Day Not every Valentine's Day needs to be spent in a restaurant ordering something expensive. In fact, what you do to celebrate your love should be unique to you and your partner. With that in mind, we've come up with three fun but unconventional ways to spend Feb. 14. If you're the type of couple who doesn't really take Valentine's Day too seriously , why not spend the day helping others? Not only will you feel good about what you're doing, you get to spend the day working as a team to give back. Opportunities are endless– serve meals at a soup kitchen, walk dogs at an animal shelter, help build homes with Habitat for Humanity– whatever you feel best suits your skills and interest level. Make it a yearly tradition to spend February 14 doing what you can to help others. Go against the grain and instead of making Valentine's Day a couple's only event, host a party for all of your friends and family– single or otherwise. Your unattached friends will appreciate having something to do and everyone will be glad the pressure is off and they can just relax and have a great time rather than trying to figure out how to get dinner reservations on the busiest restaurant day of the year. Keep things relaxed– cocktails, appetizers and a simple main course served buffet style will ensure things are kept casual. Give everyone a Valentine's card and small bag of cinnamon hearts as a fun parting gift. Valentine's Day can be the same year after year– exchange gifts, go out to dinner, repeat next year. This year, do something that's totally new to both of you to celebrate your love. If you've never tried snowboarding, book a lesson and try it together. If you've never tried Indian cooking, take a class and learn to make something new as a couple. Discuss what you've both always wanted to try and make it happen on February 14th. It'll be exciting and a new and different way to spend the afternoon. 4 Fun winter getaways to take with your man 5 Unique Valentine's Day date ideas If you're sick of the same old Valentine's Day why not try something new? To help get you inspired, we put together five fun ideas that will help make this Feb. 14 your most special one yet. 4 Fun solo Valentine's Day ideas Valentine's Day doesn't have to be reserved for couples only. If you're flying solo this Feb. 14, there's no need to fret. We put together some great ideas to inspire you to have fun and make V-day about more than getting chocolate and flowers. The best things about being single Valentine's gift ideas for the romantically challenged Not everyone is adept at buying meaningful Valentine's Day gifts. Even if you're madly in love with your man, you might be unsure of how to express your feelings in gift form on Feb. 14. If that sounds like you, we're here to help. We have some expert gift giving tips sure to make your shopping decision a lot easier. You might be if you want to check your email seconds after sex, would rather get a gym membership than a bouquet of roses or prefer a box of inkjet cartridges over a box of chocolates, saysDr. Terri Orbuch, relationship expert and author ofFinding Love Again: Six Simple Steps to a New and Happy Relationship. We turned to her for her tips on Valentine's Day gift ideas and gift giving. Many studies, including Orbuch's own long-term study of married and remarried couples, have found that men are typically more romantic than their female partners."Of course, it's not true for all men all the time, but the findings show that men tend to fall in love easier than women, are more likely to believe in love at first sight, believe there's a perfect 'soul mate' for them and believe that when you're truly in love, passion never fades,"she explains. Male or female, if you feel romantically challenged this Valentine's Day, try these simple strategies: You don't necessarily need to head to the mall to give your guy something meaningful."A simple handwritten note telling your partner why you'd still choose him if you had to do it all over again says 'I love you' much better than a box of candy,"says Orbuch. Saying"I love you"is nice, but why not show your significant other how much you care."Kissing, holding and cuddling is nicer,"Orbuch advises."Even if you're not romantic, everyone needs and responds to the loving touch of a partner." If mushy romanticism isn't for you, think of something your partner really needs, Orbuch advises. Get his car detailed, replace his tattered briefcase– something that he needs to do but has been neglecting."Such thoughtfulness is a turn-on and shows you really care about your partner." Don't think of Valentine's Day as a commercial holiday created to sell chocolates and flowers, Orbuch says. That can really take the fun out of it. Think of it as a day to spend quality time with your loved one."It can be as elaborate as eating out at a nice restaurant, or as simple as snuggling up on the couch to watch a movie." Sometimes the best gift is the simplest, says Orbuch."Want to know the most romantic thing you can do this Valentine's Day? Have a 10-minute conversation with your partner about anything besides kids, work, money or domestic responsibilities,"she advises. Her study found that the"10 minute rule,", practiced daily, increases intimacy, bonding and happiness. Love Happy: Beating the winter blahs Valentine's Day: Our favorite men's gifts right now Seduce your man with a few special treats this Valentine's Day. Here are our favorite men's gadgets and treats of the moment. Whether your guy is a techy, foodie, wino, athlete, fashionista, shoe lover or grooming maven, any of these items will win over his heart on this special day. He'll basically love you forever. Trust us. This year, skip the drug store boxed chocolate and give him an extra-flavorfulScharffen Berger Chocolate gift setso he can really indulge his sweet tooth. Our favorite? The semisweet bar for that delicious hint of honey and citrus. Hopefully he'll share this one with you! Time to encourage reading… and watching movies… and listening to music… and… well, you get the picture. The newestgadgetfrom Amazon will allow your guy to absorb all of his favorite media right at his fingertips. Is he a certified wino? Give him the ultimate gift… a wine tasting right in your living room! Light some candles and share sips of Napa Valley reds and a bold chardonnay… what's more romantic than that? The Tastingroom.com's"Wines for Lovers"is the perfect addition to your special night. Plus, if he finds a sampler he adores, order the full bottle for him immediately after so he can add it to his collection. You'll be the ultimate girlfriend! Socks are not just the gift you give your father for Father's Day when you don't know what else to get him. Believe us; your boyfriend wants them too. Socks are the one piece of clothing every guy always needs... especially if he works out every once in a while. These athleticHanes sockswill keep his feet dry when he's out for a run and are so soft that he won't want to wear anything else when lounging on the weekends. While basic, he'll secretly be beyond thankful for this gift. Just hope he doesn't lose them in the wash! We were so happy when Coach re-introduced their classic styles again last year. The Willis bag, anyone? This Valentine's Day, let your guy have his own"Coach Moment"with a new leather billfold. We suggest the newCrosby walletfor its modern, yet classic detailing. It's time to give him the luxury he deserves. Does he secretly love shoes more than you? Get him ready for spring with theseJohnston&Murphy Bowless Slip-Ons. Suggest wearing these breathable shoes sockless with a rolled up cotton pant for spring and with a pair of cool colored shorts for summer. The bonus? If he's somewhat lazy, he'll love that he doesn't have to tie his shoes with this style. Shhh... just for you, we got a sneak peek at one of Jack Black's newest products. One of our favorite men's grooming lines, Jack Black's latest launches this February. TheDry Erase Ultra-Calming Face Creamwill bring the spa to his bathroom as it moisturizes and helps erase lines and tightness. We're calling this one:"The Ultimate Man Treatment."If he admits that he puts time into his grooming routine, definitely give this a try. Well it is Valentine's Day after all, so give yourself a treat with the2ist"Love"collection. That's about all we'll say about this. You know what to do… Ways to treat yourself on Valentine's Day Using Pinterest to create an inspiration board Forget the social network -- how about a social inspiration network? Pinterest is the latest social site that helps users find pictures of things they like,"pin"them to their personal Pinterest profile and share their likes with their friends. Users claim the service is delightfully addictive, but you can also use your social obsession to your benefit. Creating an inspiration board for your love life, personal style and more can help you on your road to an overall goal. There are many group boards onPinterestthat can steer you in the right direction. For example, if you know you want to take that trip to Bali, find a forum for Bali lovers. Pin pictures of resorts, bodies of water and people to your page. If you need to remind yourself to focus onoutdoor activitieson your trip, rather than spending the entire time in a spa, head over to Pinterest's"outdoors"section for inspiration. Before you know it, your Bali trip will be laid out right in front of you. You can use Pinterest to"pin"many kinds of things, but if you want to create a streamlined idea to put into action, it's best to focus on just one or two areas of interest. For example, if you want to overhaul your bland wardrobe anddrab apartmentand turn them into something sleek and fashionable, use the craft, fashion and design forums to find pictures of things that interest you. It's easy to go online and find things you like, but with Pinterest, users will tell you where to buy those things or how to make them. You see, Pinterest is also a social linking site, which links to retailers and DIY craft websites that will help you put your outlined plan into action. You'll know exactly where to find that perfect Buddha lamp you found online and exactly how to style it once you get it home. There are other inspired"Pinteresters"on the website just like you. You can"repin"any user's content and ask questions in the comments. Want to know how she found such awesome stuff for her new apartment? Simply ask about her favorite retailers in a comment. It's easy to connect on Pinterest. The user base is mainly female, super friendly and happy to help. 4 Steps to happiness Googling your date before the date Ah, the internet and its esteemed authority figure, Google. Remember in the old days how you had to get to know someone through a series of social functions? You had to look that person in the eye and communicate… verbally? How annoying was that? Remember blind dates where you had to hold your breath to see if your date was a prince or a goblin? Now you can just"look him up"before the date to decide if you're going to shower and shave your legs or if you're intentionally going to eat a bowl of broccoli and garlic first. If it's common practice for you to Google someonebeforeyou go on a date, consider the following. It is scientifically unsound toGooglesomeone before you go on a date for two very good reasons. First, no scientific experiment would bias a participant before the experiment. To glean the best results from any situation, you must remove premature bias from the equation. If you go into a date with a head full of notions based on what you think you know about someone, the date is over before it began. You must date with a clean slate! Second, if you disqualify someone based on what you find on the Internet, you are ignoring one of Mother Nature's coolest gifts -- pheromones.Pheromonesare the human equivalent of a dog whistle. We can't hear them, see them or smell them, but they serve as Mother Nature's matchmaker. It's called"chemistry"for a reason. And Google, for all its star power, cannot tell you whether you'll have chemistry with someone. Who among us wants to be judged for the stupid stuff we did before we were ready to start dating seriously? That time in our lives called the college years can net a lot of embarrassment later. Maybe a friend has posted frat party pictures onFacebook, or maybe when you Google someone's name a minor infraction pops up. For this reason alone, Googling someone before you go on a date may not be the best idea. You need face time with someone to determine whether hewasan idiot or he stillisan idiot. Celebrities cry foul on much of what is printed about them, but this could happen to any of us. Maybe we tick someone off either purposefully or accidentally and they see fit to air all the gruesome details in a public forum. Would you really want to dismiss someone on the word of a stranger? Background checks through friends who may know your date are always acceptable because the friends know you, they know your date and you can trust their feedback. But taking the word of someone you've never met shoots"innocent until proven guilty"right in the foot. Go into the date with an open mind, minus any pre-conceived notions. At some point you are going to want to Google your date to verify what he told you. But get to know him first. Go on at least one date, and try to hold out for two or three. Google is an authority on the mating habits of tree frogs in the Amazon and can help you find Chinese food in your area; Google can never replace Mother Nature, your heart or your brain. Conquering the fear of online dating Should you start a dating blog? If you're going to start a blog and build an audience, you need to be able to compose content that will keep people coming back. It doesn't necessarily have to be grammatically polished -- many blogs are written just for fun. But you also can't blog like you write intext messagesor on Twitter. Your content needs to be readable and, if you want people to come back, unique and relatable. You don't just need to keep an intrigued audience coming back. If you want to stay motivated, you need to determinewhyyou want to start a dating blog. Do you want to share pearls of dating wisdom? Do you want to entertain? Do you want to inform? Determining an objective before you start will motivate you to keep up on your blog. You've had enough of men and you think you might be ready to air your grievances in a public manner to get back at them. As juicy as this sounds, proceed with great caution. Remember that everything you put on the internet is up for public consumption. This means afuture bossmay find your hate-laced entries, or worse, a future companion. Running home and Googling someone after the first date is common practice. What if you meet a great guy, have a fantastic date and he runs home to check you out, only to learn that if he does you wrong all the intimate details of your time with him will become public fodder? That will turn most guys off in a hurry. For the reason stated above, speak in generalities. Stick to advice like"What to wear on afirst date"or"Formulate an exit strategy before you arrive."It is perfectly acceptable to punctuate this type of content with real life experiences and anecdotes, but again steer away from names and direct references. Exaggerate a scenario so that even the people reading it may not recognize themselves in it. Keeping up a blog can be a lot of pressure when you're really busy. Inviting friends to share their dating insight and experiences will not only take the pressure off you, it will add interest to your blog. Many people share their blog posts through social networking channels, so when your friends share their blog entries, your audience will grow. Conquering the fear of online dating How Skype and Facebook changed the long-distance relationship Dating in the internet age is a wonderful thing. You can find a partner, get to know each other and fall in love, all over an internet connection. But what happens when that special someone lives beyond simple driving distance? Here's how Skype and Facebook have changed the long-distance dating landscape. With Skype, you can set up a webcam to talk to the person you love face-to-face. Sure, you can't reach out and cuddle, but you can smile, wave, and even do, ahem, more adventurous things. Seeing you reassures your partner that you're very real and that you care very much. Back in the day, your boyfriend would probably never get jealous of a male friend asking you in person to borrow your textbook for class. However, seeing that request on yourFacebook wallmight set off some long-distance jealousy triggers."Does he just want to see her?""Does he want to 'study' with her?"Make sure trust is a foundation to your relationship, and those meaningless little wall posts will never be a problem. Want to leave a cute note for your sweetie? Simply log in to Skype or Facebook and write a quick something. Maybe it isn't as endearing as a hand-writtenlovenote, but you have to take what you can get. When you're thinking about him, drop him a line. He'll be thrilled to know that he's in your thoughts at that very moment. You no longer have to wait for your daily one-hour phone call from theperson you lovein a far away land. Instead, you can simply log into Skype while you're both at home and talk as if the other person was in the room with you. Or, you can IM all day while you're at the office. Tell him about the weird guy at the corner desk, or just how much you hate it when yogurt sticks to the top of the lid. Those little mundane anecdotes help us get to know and fall in love with people, even when they're far away. Posting that your boy toy is coming to town or sharing other monumental relationship achievements on Facebook is a good indicator of how many people approve of your relationship and are happy to see it continue. When you both see all those"likes,"you'll be convinced you've found someone special. Conquering the fear of online dating Easy date planning with iPhone apps You've got a big date Friday night and you're asking yourself the usual questions: What will you wear? Where will you eat? What will you do? What will you talk about? Relax. Take a deep breath. Then check out these apps that will make you feel like you have a personal date-prep assistant. Let's get the most important part of your date preparation out of the way. Some may trivialize the role a pair ofshoesplays in the success of a date -- those people are called men. The rest of us know that a great pair of shoes can take your tired, so-so outfit and kick it into overdrive. There's an element of excitement that comes with certain pairs of shoes because you only get them out when you're doing something fun. The perfect pair of kicks can also do wonders for your confidence. For these reasons, consider downloadingiShoes, where you will find 50,000 different pairs of shoes to shop. Once you find the pair of your dreams, you can order them online right from the app! Your outfit is second only to your shoes. One could argue that you should select what you are wearingfirstand then pick the shoes. Most women prefer to pick the shoes and then piece together an outfit around them. It doesn't matter how you do it. When it comes to picking an outfit that makes you look and feel great, the app123 Dress Medelivers. Take pictures of your clothes, then mix and match pieces of yourwardrobewith the spinner to come up with new combinations. If you shake your phone, you get a new combination. Take this app shopping so you can accessorize an outfit you already have with a stunning scarf or fabulous new purse. Open Tabledid it first, and they still do it best: With this app you can make reservations at more than 15,000 restaurants! Select the date you'd like to dine out and Open Table will kick back restaurants in your area. With maps, reviews and sophisticated search options there will be no,"Where do you want to eat?"followed by,"I don't know, where doyouwant to eat?" When things get hectic, we tend to bury our heads in the sand and do what needs to be done. Then when we emerge, we realize the race for President has begun andKim Kardashiangot a divorce! DownloadFluent News Readerto catch up on all current events with headlines fromThe Washington Post,The Wall Street Journal, FOX News, the BBC, ESPN, TMZ,Timeand many more. This will keep you from getting caught flat-footed on an important topic. The idea is not to"wow"someone with your knowledge, but rather to come off as informed instead of dazed and confused. You've been single for a while, and you're just not feeling another"dinner and a movie"date? Download301 Date Ideasfor some ways to break out of the dating doldrums. Use one of the 301 suggestions or put your own unique spin on an idea tocreate a nightthat is geared specifically to you and your date. Conquering the fear of online dating Readers reveal how they met their match Kristen Seymour, a writer and editor in Gainesville, Florida, met her husband at a bar."We met at a country bar, which was a total fluke since we aren't particularly 'country' and neither of us had ever been there,"she said. Seymour went with co-workers who happened to be friends with her future husband's friends."A slow song,"Amazed"by Lonestar, came on and a few people paired off and hit the dance floor;"she said."According to Jared, I looked like I was just waiting for someone to ask me to dance, so he did." They hit it off that night,"but I fell in love with him a month or two later when we were at his apartment and noticed a tiny frog stuck between the screen and the window. He went to great pains to save the frog, and at that point, I knew he was the right guy for me." Allyson Long, a stay-at-home mom in Avon, Indiana, met her husband through online personal ads. Over the course of three weeks, the two talked via email and phone, then decided to meet for coffee."We hit it off, but I am always cautious about getting my hopes up,"she said."After a few months of dating, I knew he was the one. We were engaged after 10 months of dating and married six months later." Kim Clune, a writer and web designer in East Nassua, New York, met her husband Tim through an online dating site eight years ago."At the time, online dating was considered foreign territory and rather 'unnatural,'"she said."On the contrary, living in a small, remote town and working from home with no eligible bachelors in sight, I thought it the perfect option."For their first date, the two met for dinner."Tim waited inside the restaurant while I waited outside, both of us thinking the other was late while dreading every stranger that passed by. That was the longest ten minutes ever until Tim looked outside. His smile was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen,"she said. After their epic, three-hour-long first dinner, she knew right away that he was going to be her first and last online dating match. Conquering the fear of online dating Conquering the fear of online dating Spend some time thinking about why you're afraid to dive in with online dating. Identify your specific fears in order to overcome them. Are you worried that you won't find someone? Is it a fear of putting yourself out there? Are you worried that no one will click on your profile? Or are you concerned about thesafety and security? Once you isolate your fears, you'll be able to get past them because every single one of those common fears can be tackled head on! Nothing will help you conquer your fear of online dating faster than a handful of charming love stories. Poll your close friends and family– via email is okay as long as you don't copy: all– to find out who met through online dating. You might be surprised to find out how many long-term couples you know met online. Gather theirfirst datestories to help you feel more confident about finding someone for yourself. Once you've absorbed all those happy endings, take it a step further. Wait until you're feeling braver and then ask those same couples for a few of their not-so-happy online dating tales. Not only will it help you be prepared from some of the pitfalls of online dating, but it'll help you gain confidence to know that, despite those bumps in the road, your friends still met someone special online. Set up your account. Even if you don't go through all the steps to activate yourprofile, start by creating an account. It's a small step that should be quick and easy, but it puts you on the right path. Feel empowered now? Get to work on that profile! If you're still nervous, don't worry. Step away from your computer and focus on something fun; your account will be there waiting for you when you're ready. Just remember, as you go through setup, use the site's built-in safety measures and never include personal details like address and phone number. Then all you have to do is wait for the emails to roll in! Tips for creating an online dating profile Rules of the Facebook relationship status Would you make things"Facebook official"without running it by your significant other first? According to Vince, who is in his 20s and in a relationship, women take being publicly declared as"in a relationship"as one step down frommarriage. This makes sense. When you start dating someone, you tell a few close friends. You don't broadcast it to every acquaintance you have, just in case things blow up in your face. That's a lot of explaining to do! You typically only telleveryoneyou know after you are engaged. At least that was the barometer for the seriousness of a relationshipbeforeFacebook. When you tell everyone in yoursocial networkthat you are in a relationship, it makes sense that this would be interpreted as serious. Justin, in college and in his late 20s, takes a different angle on being careful about the"in a relationship"status. He maintains that it should only be used"in dire circumstances"-- the ones that equate to"an engine being out and a loss of cabin pressure."In other words, Justin warns, changing your status to"in a relationship"can be used to fix a lot of relationship issues, but this can only be done once. So time this maneuver wisely and proceed cautiously. Marissa, single mom of two, says no. She feels it is just one more way for people to get all up in your business and she says it jinxes the relationship. She's not alone. Jennifer, a single mom in her early 40s, agrees:"The minute you post your relationship status is the minute it starts to fail."The tattoo theory seems to apply to Facebook relationship statuses as well. You've been warned. Save yourself some embarrassment and discuss with your significant other your desire to share with the world that you two are in a relationship. They may not be ready for such a public display of your affection. Remember that some people are more reserved and private than others. The same holds true for breaking up with someone. Karen, who classifies herself as"old and married,"shared a story about a friend who found out her engagement was off through Facebook. Talk about the coward's way out! That hurts the person who got so publicly dumped, but it also casts the"dumper"in a very poor light. If you break an engagement with someone on Facebook, you're going to be single for a long while. The consensus seems to be that posting"in a relationship"makes your private life public, jinxes your relationship and is often used as a tool for manipulation. Resist the urge to use Facebook as your loudspeaker for love. Tell the people who are close to you that you're in a relationship. Everyone else on Facebook will figure it out when you post wedding pictures. Conquering the fear of online dating Tips for creating an online dating profile While most dating site users are just like you– people looking for a date– predators do exist. Never include your address or phone number. It's okay to talk about your profession or industry, but avoid mentioning your employer by name. The bottom line? Don't include information that points someone to where you hang out, work or live."My perfect Saturday is spent reading in a local coffee shop"is okay."I spend Saturdays at Bob's Beans on Main Street"is not. Theprofile pictureis incredibly important. First, look happy in your pic. If you don't have a professional shot, have a friend snap one in natural light. Crop it to highlight your pretty face. Add a few additional candid or action photos. Just remember, keep your photo current. No one wants to show up to a date to find someone who looks a decade older than the profile picture. Treat your profile like a resume. Be your own cheerleader and be honest. Be self-confident and positive. Show off your strengths. Finally, carefully check your profile forgrammar and spellingmistakes. If editing isn't your strength, type it in a word processing program first and run spell check before you copy and paste it online, or ask a friend to proofread it for you. Everyone wants someone who is kind with a sense of humor. Refine yourprofileto eliminate all those cliches. Instead of writing that you're looking for a sense of humor, try being really specific."I can quote every episode ofSeinfeld"or"can't turn off a snarky British comedy"is a better choice. If you hope to find a match who enjoys volunteering, mention the types of charities and projects you're involved in and that you're looking for someone who's into the same. If you're stumped, write a list of qualities you're looking for, then think of how you would hope to see them materialize in a man. The more specific you can be, the better your matches will be. Don't go overboard on information– save something for the first date! It's wise to skip money, politics and religion, as well as anything too negative . Finally, avoid phrases like,"I wouldn't normally use one of these dating services, but my friends put me up to this."No one wants to take a sourpuss on a date! Conquering the fear of online dating Low-cost Valentine's Day gift ideas for your guy If you don't have a huge Valentine's Day budget, don't worry. There are still plenty of ways to show your guy you care -- minus the strain on your wallet. Besides, Valentine's Day isn't about how much you spend; it's about how much you love your man. Check out our ideas for low-cost gift ideas you can try this year. We love the idea of creating a photo bookfor your guy full of your favorite photos of the two of you, places you've been and the people you love. You can either choose your pictures, get them printed and put them in an album, or have a photo book made with the images you choose. There are many places to order photo books and the cost is reasonable . TryShutterfly,Smile BooksandBlurb. You can also get mini books made of your Instagram photos via the cool sitePicstagram. Seriously, they're adorable. If you're feeling particularly sentimental,go one step beyond a book and fill a box with items that remind you of how great your guy is. Think outside the box and get creative. Did the two of you meet at a bar? Go back and grab a coaster or matchbook from the venue to include. Have you taken a memorable trip? Include a souvenir from where you went or pick up something that reminds you of the vacation to add to your memory box. Use photos, objects, postcards -- anything that you know will resonate with him and that represents your relationship. Plan a day out that won't costeither of you anything. Start the day by making his favorite breakfast or brunch. Then pack a bag with sandwiches, bottles of water, a thermos of coffee and snacks for the day. Plan a route that includes parks, interesting neighborhoods and ideally, museums and galleries that don't cost anything to enter. Most museums have"free days"and a lot of smaller galleries don't charge to browse. You can be the tour guide and of course, supply the delicious lunch and snacks you packed. He'll have a great time and you get to spend the day together -- without having to reach in your wallet. What are your talents or hobbies?Do you knit? Make him a scarf and matching mittens. Are you an amateur photographer? Choose some of your best photos and frame them for him. Do you paint? Make him a one of a kind piece to hang on the wall. By doing what you're good at, you can create a no-cost but ultra-meaningful gift for your guy. Better movie night date ideas How to get your relationship back on track One of the best things you can do to improve your relationship is to really listen. We all get in moods where we look like we're listening, but really we're just going through the motions. Rather than taking in what our partner says, we nod at all the right places, mumble half-hearted responses and smile politely. If this has become a habit, it's time to listen up– for real. Make eye contact, put your phone away , ask questions and participate in the conversation. Focus on what your partner is saying. The more you listen to each other, the closer you'll become. If date night lately means going to the same pizza place every Friday , it's time to get a bit more creative. Pick a night, hire a babysitter if you need one and plan a more inspired date night. Maybe start at the little wine bar that just opened up, moving on to a restaurant you've always wanted to try and then a snowy walk through your favorite park. The point is tomake the evening even better by doing things that are new and fresh, not part of a routine. By putting effort into a date night, you'll realize how much fun you can have together when you're not stuck in a dating rut. Getting away together is a great way to put the spark back into your relationship. Rent a cabin for a few days, take a weekend road trip together or simply stay at a cute bed and breakfast nearby for the night to change things up. No matter where you end up, this is a good opportunity for you to be alone with your guy, listen to each other and enjoy each other's company. Sometimes you need totally neutral territory, away from your everyday routine to really rekindle your romance. Bring back the romance after having a baby Man Candy Mondays: Sam Worthington Born: Aug. 2, 1976 Hometown: Surrey, England Height: 5' 10" We're suckers for a rough-and-tumble, sexy guy's guy who speaks his mind. Say it all, Sam— we love your honesty! When you settle down into a movie theater seat for a near-three-hour-long epic film likeAvatar, you can only hope that someone as ruggedly sexy as Sam Worthington has the starring role. Lucky us! And we haveAvatarcasting director Margery Simkin to thank for that. She lobbied to get Sam the part, and since then, the Aussie actor's life hasn't been the same. What ultimately got Sam noticed? He had an Elvis-like effect on the girls, Simkin said: "I called [a casting director in Australia] up and asked her to put all the guys she thought were great on tape. We saw probably 20 or 30 guys from down there,"Simkin told theL.A. Times."One day my coworker came in and said, 'You gotta see this.' Honestly, Sam just popped. I believe there are sort of marriages of actors to roles. He definitely popped. There were these two young girls who worked at the front desk. And we dragged them in to look at his audition. And it was kind of like they were weak in the knees." Now that's some good judgment. Great work bringing Worthington to the masses, ladies! When Worthington was a kid, starring in movies wasn't on his radar. Instead, after a relatively normal boyhood in Perth, Australia , he worked as a bricklayer for two years, until he was 19. For fun, he auditioned at the National Institute of Dramatic Art in Australia with a girlfriend at the time who wanted to be an actress. He got in. Compared to his acting-obsessed classmates, Worthington proved to be the odd man out: When he was asked to name his favorite movie, he saidLethal Weapon 2. "They didn't ask me my favorite play because they knew I hadn't seen one,"he toldDetails."They looked at me like I was crazy.... I think they were thinking, oh, Casablanca, Gone With the Wind. But I said, 'Look, if I can have half as much fun as those boys and get paid to do what they're doing— that's pretty cool.'" Soon enough, roles in Aussie TV shows and movies and U.S. films likeTerminator SalvationandClash of the Titanscame pouring in. Looks like his dream is coming true— and we love watching it happen. Sometimes when a guy is over-groomed, it's a little much. As for Sam's hot bod? Chalk it up to good genetics and a sense of adventure: "I hate the gym,"he told theNew York Daily News."If you notice, I don't really take my shirt off in my movies because I'm not as fit as I should be. I guess I'm just not a fan of picking up something heavy and not moving it. I'd rather walk around town. I'll take that kind of exercise any day." Um, we'll stroll the streets of New York City with you, Sam! Sorry, ladies— Sam's newly spoken for! Just this past week, Sam debuted his girlfriend, Crystal Humphries, publicly at the Hollywood premiere ofMan on a Ledgelast week. Not much is known about the curvy brunette beauty, other than that this foxy lady has captured his heart. The pair lives in Hawaii. Kudos to Crystal, and better luck next time to us!
Getting dumped sucks; getting dumped close to Valentine’s Day makes the whole situation feel that much worse. This Feb. 14, if you’re dealing with a newly single BFF, there are a few things you should avoid saying to her at all costs. These are things better left unsaid – especially when she’s hurting and even more importantly, when she’s feeling the opposite of romantic.
How happy you are with your man
That she should just get over it
About your latest crush or one night stand
That you never liked him to begin with
More about friendship
4 Fun, no-fail ways to meet new friends
5 Reasons BFFs are so important
http://www.sheknows.com/love-and-sex/articles/947593/what-not-to-say-to-a-newly-single-friend-on-valentines-day
Valentine’s Day doesn’t have to be about big gestures and expensive gifts. You can show your guy you care in smaller but no less meaningful ways. If you’re stumped for gift ideas, take a look at the three romantic gestures we think will go a long way in making your man feel special on the 14th.
Thank him for something
Compliment him
Flirt with him
More relationship advice
4 Fun winter getaways to take with your man
Date night ideas for long-term couples
http://www.sheknows.com/love-and-sex/articles/947597/3-little-ways-to-show-your-man-you-care-on-valentines-day
If you’re still stumped on finding that perfect Valentine’s Day gift for your guy, we have some great gift ideas that are not only special, but affordable, too. We turned to Vicky Oliver, author of The Millionaire’s handbook: How to Look and Act Like a Millionaire Even if You’re Not, for her tipson how to give your guy something great – without breaking the bank.
Fun, affordable ways to show your love
Something in his color
A message in a bottle
A signature drink for your sweetheart
Name a star
Get inventive with the I.O.U.s
More relationship advice
How to get your relationship back on track
4 Fun winter getaways to take with your man
http://www.sheknows.com/love-and-sex/articles/947641/5-frugal-but-fabulous-valentines-day-treats-for-your-guy
Not every Valentine’s Day needs to be spent in a restaurant ordering something expensive. In fact, what you do to celebrate your love should be unique to you and your partner. With that in mind, we’ve come up with three fun but unconventional date ideas and ways to spend February 14th.
Out-of-the-box Valentine's Date ideas
Volunteer together
Host a party
Do something new to both of you
More about love and dating
Sexy ways to surprise him on date night
4 Fun ways to spend a cold night indoors
http://www.sheknows.com/love-and-sex/articles/947241/3-unconventional-ways-to-spend-valentines-day
If you’re sick of the same old Valentine’s Day , why not try something new? To help get you inspired, we put together five fun date ideas that will help make this February 14th your most special one yet.
Make Valentine's Day special
Try a wine or beer tasting
With so many opportunitiesto explore various specialties, from wine and beer to cheese, chocolate and even olive oil, why not expand your palate with an evening of tasting? Not only will you be doing something new together, you'll also gain a new appreciation for some of your favorite things. You can also opt for pairing courses– wine and cheese and even beer and cheese pairings can be a fun way to open yourself to new eating and drinking possibilities.Take a cooking class
Whether you both love to cookor feel like you could use a few pointers, a cooking class can be a romantic and entertaining way to spend Valentine's Day. From French cuisine to Spanish to Italian to desserts and candy making, the possibilities are endless. And the best part: You get to eat what you make! The evening can be among other couples or opt for a private cooking class for more hands-on learning. You get to cook with your man and learn something new to try out at home.Book a brunch date
Dinner reservations can be hardto get on the 14th, so why not bypass the crowds and do brunch instead? You can linger over coffee and freshly squeezed juice, chat over something totally decadent and then end the afternoon with a romantic walk through your neighborhood.Get cultured
Spend the day getting reacquaintedwith all of the galleries and museums your city has to offer. Plan a route that builds in stops for snacks and coffee or wine if it's later in the day and check out a little of everything from small art openings to large museum exhibits. Top off your day with your favorite takeout , eaten at home by candlelight.Get outside
It may be cold outsidebut that doesn't mean you should forgo fresh air. This Valentine's Day, we suggest bundling up and getting outside for some romantic outdoor fun. Go skating, book a weekend ski or snowboarding trip if you can swing it or head to the local park with the biggest hill and go sledding! Acting like kids again is a great way to ditch your worries, reconnect and really have a memorable afternoon together.
http://www.sheknows.com/love-and-sex/articles/947159/5-unique-valentines-day-date-ideas
Valentine’s Day doesn’t have to be reserved for couples only. If you’re flying solo this February 14th, there’s no need to fret. We put together some great ideas to inspire you to have fun and make Valentine's Day about more than getting chocolate and flowers.
Single girl
Valentine's funGet adventurous
If you're craving something different, why not plan to do something adventurous this Feb. 14. Depending on where you live, book yourself a snowboarding or surfing lesson, spend the day at an indoor rock climbing gym or take a boxing class at your gym– anything you've never done but have always wanted to try. You'll have fun and feel great having done something different. The best part: not having a Valentine's Day date will be the furthest thing from your mind.All about you day
Make today all about you.No distractions, no worries and no agenda other than feeling great and doing all the things you love to do. Start the day at your favorite cafe or brunch spot. Linger over a latte and the newspaper, order something decadent and look forward to the day ahead. Next it's time for a little midday pampering. Opt for a mani-pedi or something more indulgent like a massage or body scrub. Post-pampering, take yourself out for a glass of wine. Bring a book or buy a magazine en route and sip as you read. On the way home, pick up your go-to takeout and pair it with some movies that always make you laugh. The perfect end to a perfect Valentine's Day.Girls-only getaway
Grab a few of your closest BFFsand hit the road. Plan to spend a night or two at a swanky hotel downtown or cute bed and breakfast out of town for an out-of-the-box way to spend Valentine's Day. Book a few rooms, bring some wine and snacks and have an impromptu party to reconnect and prove that the 14th isn't just a day for couples to get all the fun.Cocktail party
Solo this Valentine's Day?Why not host a cocktail soiree for all your equally single friends . Have everyone dress up , choose a signature cocktail to serve along with some bite size appetizers and have fun with all your favorite people. Make sure you have some great music on hand to get people moving. There's nothing better than a living room dance party with all your closest friends.More single girl tips
Top tips for meeting your love match
Top 5 no-fail icebreakers for meeting men
http://www.sheknows.com/love-and-sex/articles/947155/4-fun-solo-valentines-day-ideas
Not everyone is adept at buying meaningful Valentine’s Day gifts. Even if you’re madly in love with your man, you might be unsure of how to express your feelings in gift form on February 14th. If that sounds like you, we’re here to help. We have some expert gift ideas and gift giving tips sure to make your Valentine's Day shopping decision a lot easier.
Valentine's Day gift tips
Are you"romantically challenged?"
Make it personal
Make it"touching"
Fill a need
Spend some time
Talk it up
More about love and dating
5 Simple steps for getting his family to fall in love with you
4 Places not to go on a date
http://www.sheknows.com/love-and-sex/articles/947063/valentines-gift-ideas-for-the-romantically-challenged
Seduce your man with a few special treats this Valentine’s Day. Here are our favorite men’s gadgets and treats of the moment.
Give him the gift of love
For the foodie guy
Scharffen Berger ChocolateFor the techy guy
Kindle FireThe wino guy
Tastingroom.comFor the athletic guy
HanesFor the fashionista guy
CoachFor the shoe obsessed guy
Johnston&MurphyFor the grooming guy
Jack BlackAnd just for you…
More Valentine's Day
Ways to make Valentine's Day sweeter
What makes a great Valentine's Day chocolate
http://www.sheknows.com/love-and-sex/articles/946483/valentines-day-our-favorite-mens-gifts-right-now
Forget the social network -- how about a social inspiration network? Pinterest is the latest social site that helps users find pictures of things they like,“pin” them to their personal Pinterest profile and share their likes with their friends. Users claim the service is delightfully addictive, but you can also use your social obsession to your benefit. Creating an inspiration board for your love life, personal style and more can help you on your road to an overall goal.
Pin down your life
Scout your interests
Find your focus
Put your plan into action
Consult Pinterest for advice
More on love and happiness
Finding love: Understanding what you need
Confidence dos&don'ts
http://www.sheknows.com/love-and-sex/articles/947259/using-pinterest-to-create-an-inspiration-board
Ah, the internet and its esteemed authority figure, Google. Remember in the old days how you had to get to know someone through a series of social functions? You had to look that person in the eye and communicate ... verbally? How annoying was that? Remember blind dates where you had to hold your breath to see if your date was a prince or a goblin? Now you can just“look him up” before the date to decide if you’re going to shower and shave your legs or if you’re intentionally going to eat a bowl of broccoli and garlic first. If it's common practice for you to Google someone before you go on a date, consider the following.
Google with caution
Science
We're all idiots at some phase in our life
Misrepresentation
Save googling forafterthe date
More dating tips
Tips for creating an online dating profile
How Skype and Facebook changed the long-distance relationship
http://www.sheknows.com/love-and-sex/articles/947001/googling-your-date-before-the-date
Your love life is entertaining, perhaps for all the wrong reasons. You know others would relate to the situations you find yourself in. Your friends encourage you to find an outlet for all the amusing antics that result from your dating experiences, so you're considering starting a dating blog. But just because you can, does that mean you should? Read this before you get started.
Can you write?
What's your goal?
Is your blog a plot for revenge?
Keep it classy
Invite friends to participate
More dating tips
Tips for creating an online dating profile
How Skype and Facebook changed the long-distance relationship
http://www.sheknows.com/love-and-sex/articles/947059/should-you-start-a-dating-blog
Dating in the internet age is a wonderful thing. You can find a partner, get to know each other and fall in love, all over an internet connection. But what happens when that special someone lives beyond simple driving distance? Here is how Skype and Facebook have changed the long-distance dating landscape.
A new internet connection
You're no longer a still picture or a voice on the phone
Your everyday life is exposed
Sharing sweet nothings has never been easier
The lines of communication are open
Others can join your happiness
More dating tips
Tips for creating an online dating profile
Readers reveal how they met their match
http://www.sheknows.com/love-and-sex/articles/947255/how-skype-and-facebook-changed-the-long-distance-relationship
You’ve got a big date Friday night and you're asking yourself the usual questions: What will you wear? Where will you eat? What will you do? What will you talk about? Relax. Take a deep breath. Then check out these apps that will make you feel like you have a personal date-prep assistant.
Simplify date planning with these apps
The shoes
The clothes
Food
Conversation
Activities
More dating tips
Tips for creating an online dating profile
How Skype and Facebook changed the long-distance relationship
http://www.sheknows.com/love-and-sex/articles/947009/easy-date-planning-with-iphone-apps
Whether you’re actively looking for a guy or allowing fate to find one for you, these three women reveal how they met their match.
People really do meet in bars
Online personals success
Dating site love connection
More dating tips
Tips for creating an online dating profile
How Skype and Facebook changed the long distance relationship
http://www.sheknows.com/love-and-sex/articles/947261/readers-reveal-how-they-met-their-match
Hesitating to join the online dating scene? Many women are afraid of online dating. Of course we’ve all heard the horror stories -- but the reality is, online dating can be a fun, safe way to meet a really great guy. So get over those fears and get your fabulous self online. Once you get started, you’ll realize there was nothing to be afraid of after all!
Start with a little self-evaluation
Poll your friends and family
Safely take that first, tiny step
More dating tips
Readers reveal how they met their match
How Skype and Facebook changed the long distance relationship
http://www.sheknows.com/love-and-sex/articles/947227/conquering-the-fear-of-online-dating
Facebook is omnipresent in our lives, including when it comes to relationships. Perfect. Relationships aren't tricky enough, now we have to learn how to navigate/interpret/tolerate the public social interactions of the people we date? As much fun as people think Facebook is, most agree it can be more harmful than helpful when it comes to new relationships. In order to share the rules of the Facebook relationship status, we went straight to the source and asked folks on Facebook what they think. Here is what we learned.
Don't abuse the relationship status
Is it really anyone's business
Inform the other person first
More dating tips
Tips for creating an online dating profile
How Skype and Facebook changed the long-distance relationship
http://www.sheknows.com/love-and-sex/articles/947007/rules-of-the-facebook-relationship-status
There are lots of fish in the sea– and most of them have online dating profiles. With so many people going online to find love, your profile needs to attract attention. Use these tips to stand out from the “competition” with an attention-getting profile.
Put safety first
Focus on the photo
Think of it as a resume
Know what you want– and state it
Avoid these pitfalls
More dating tips
Readers reveal how they met their match
How Skype and Facebook changed the long distance relationship
http://www.sheknows.com/love-and-sex/articles/947237/tips-for-creating-an-online-dating-profile
If you don’t have a huge Valentine’s Day budget, don’t worry. There are still plenty of ways to show your guy you care – minus the strain on your wallet. Besides, Valentine’s Day isn’t about how much you spend; it’s about how much you love your man. Check out our ideas for low-cost Valentine'sDay gift ideas you can try this year.
Low cost, big love
Photo book
Memory box
No cost day out
Go DIY
More about love and dating
Ways to keep date night exciting
Anniversary guide: Gift ideas for milestone anniversaries
http://www.sheknows.com/love-and-sex/articles/947161/low-cost-valentines-day-gift-ideas-for-your-guy
Even the strongest relationships have a way of going off the rails every so often. It might seem like a daunting task to get back on track, but it can be easier than you think. It does take work , but the effort you put in can go a long way in improving your relationship. We put together three simple but effective relationship tips to make things better between you and your man.
Listen better
Get creative with your dates
Get away together
More relationship advice
4 Fun winter getaways to take with your man
Signs he's ready to settle down
http://www.sheknows.com/love-and-sex/articles/852899/how-to-get-your-relationship-back-on-track
A recipe for Sam Worthington might go a little something like this: a heaping cup of rough-around-the-edges everyman with a dash of hot Aussie and a pinch of self-effacing modesty. That comely combination makes him one of our favorite faces to watch onscreen because there's something irresistible about a manly man who works hard at his job, end of story. Pretension? Preening? Pseudo-intellectualism? Nah. That's just not Sam, and we think that's pretty sexy. Most recently, Worthington spent days tethered to the ledge of a building for the filmMan on a Ledge, about a framed cop trying to clear his name, which is in theaters now.
Sam Worthington
Why we love himHe madeAvatarshine
He came from humble beginnings
He's effortlessly sexy
Get moreSam Worthingtonnews>>
Sam Worthington's relationship status
Browse otherMan Candy celebrity hotties>>
Photo credits: WENN, 20th Century Fox, Nikki Nelson / WENN.com, Brian To/WENN.com
http://www.sheknows.com/love-and-sex/articles/947095/man-candy-mondays-sam-worthington